Anthropology is the study of all things human. Let us show you the world.

Anthropology stands at the nexus between the social sciences, biological sciences, and humanities. It is dedicated to understanding the worldwide diversity of social institutions and cultural traditions, past and present, as well as to studying our nearest nonhuman relatives.

The Department offers a full range of undergraduate and graduate courses in archaeology, biological, social, cultural, psychological, political, and linguistic anthropology. Courses include offerings that focus on specific societies or regions of the world—especially Latin America, Asia, and Oceania—as well as more theoretically oriented topics. Students may enroll in archaeological field school and study-abroad programs in the Middle East, Latin America, and Mediterranean. Students will also have opportunities to gain hands on experiences in our research laboratories and special facilities.

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News

Archaeology has provided precious little evidence for the biblical account of a powerful Judaic kingdom 3,000 years ago, but the sheer extent of copper mining in Timna, when Egypt was in a state of collapse, is otherwise hard to explain. Prof. Thomas Levy found a scarabat Khirbet Hamra Ifdan, at the gateway to the copper district in Faynan.

“A surging movement for Catalan political independence from Spain has brought renewed urgency to questions about what it means, personally and politically, to speak or not to speak Catalan and to claim Catalan identity” begins the book description for “Singular and Plural: Ideologies of Linguistic Authority in 21st Century Catalonia,” by Kathryn “Kit” Woolard of Anthropology. Woolard has won another award for her work – this time the 2017 Edward Sapir Book Prize from the Society for Linguistic Anthropology, which is awarded to “a book that makes the most significant contribution to our understanding of language in society.”

The female reproductive system and jungles of Africa face foreign invaders. In this episode, we follow San Diego scientist Pascal Gagneux through these environments, and find out more about their intruders. Check out the fascinating interview on KPBS Rad Scientist Podcast!

Saiba Varma of Anthropology is quoted by the Associated Press: “Hair has historically symbolized sexuality and a certain excessive feminine energy,” she said. “The braid-chopping seems to be a clear example of someone trying to curtail these feminine energies.”